- not calling this a coup, not cutting off aid, a lot of backchannel communications, right, between defense secretary, secretary of state, and their counter-parts. i mean, is the u.s. having any influence at all? what does today's development do to their ability to keep that balancing act going? >> i think the united states really has to make it clear-- not necessarily publicly but certainly privately-- that if the u.s.-egyptian relationship is going to be maintained, human rights have to be recognized, and there can't be an excessive use of force against any protesters, whether it's the brotherhood or others. and i hope that message is being made at the highest level. >> warner: do you think it's getting through? >> it doesn't seem that the egyptian military leadership has taken any of the advice the u.s. has given. you know, as this whole thing has unfolded over the last few weeks. look, egypt is a big, important country, it's next door to israel. the united states is very reluctant to cut egypt loose. that's what they they feel they would be doing by suspending assistance but the united